Tricky Tides Game Rules

Welcome to Tricky Tides!

Let’s dive in and explore the rules of the game together. In Tricky Tides, the goal is to become the most legendary and successful captain of a pirate ship. Are you ready to embark on this adventure?

Understanding the Board

The game board is made up of various islands, each with its own unique resources and dangers. Your ship will sail from island to island, making decisions along the way that will determine your success or failure.

Choosing Your Ship

Before setting sail, you must choose your ship. Each ship has different abilities and attributes that will affect your gameplay. Take your time to consider which ship suits your strategy best.

Collecting Resources

As you sail from island to island, you will have the opportunity to collect resources. These resources are crucial for building your reputation, upgrading your ship, and outwitting your opponents. Be strategic in choosing which resources to collect!

Encountering Challenges

During your voyage, you will encounter various challenges, such as fierce sea monsters and treacherous storms. These challenges will test your skills and decision-making abilities. Can you navigate through these obstacles and come out victorious?

Building Your Reputation

A captain’s reputation is everything in the pirate world. As you make your choices and face challenges, your actions will shape your reputation. Will you be feared or admired by other pirates? The choice is yours.

Achieving Victory

The game ends when all the islands have been visited. The player with the highest reputation and resources will be crowned the most legendary pirate captain. Will you rise to the top or be lost at sea?

Are You Ready?

Now that you have a better understanding of the rules, it’s time to set sail and conquer the Tricky Tides. Gather your crew, prepare your ship, and embark on this thrilling adventure. May the winds be in your favor, Captain!

• 78 Goods Cubes
• 4 Anchor Tokens
• 4 Ship Boards
• 4 Ship Pawns
• 4 Monster Standees
• First Player Token & Drawbag
• 4 Monster Sightings Cards
• 32 Navigation Cards
• 12 Island Cards
• 36 Order Cards
• 12 Event Cards
• Rulebook

Let’s Set Sail!

In Tricky Tides, you and I embark on a thrilling adventure that spans three rounds. During each round, we will:

• Play hands of cards
• Set sail on our ships
• Pick up valuable goods or deliver precious cargo

When three rounds have passed, our game comes to an end! The player who has accumulated the most gold emerges as the ultimate victor!

Time to Prepare

Before our journey can commence, each of us needs to select a ship pawn to represent our merchant ship. Take a ship board that matches the color of your pawn, and don’t forget to collect an anchor token as well.

Alright, here’s what you need to do:

First, set aside any extra ship pawns, ship boards, or anchor tokens. Then, take all of the goods cubes and put them in the draw bag. Give the monster sightings bonus cards a good shuffle and deal one to each player, making sure to keep the coin side down. You can take a look at your card, but keep it hidden from everyone else.

The player who was most recently on a boat will be the first player. They become the leader and get the rum barrel leader token. Now, every player except the leader will draw one good from the draw bag and add it to their cargo hold on their ship board.

Next, it’s time to set up the play area. Shuffle the island cards and randomly arrange them in a 3 card wide by 4 card tall grid in the middle of the table. Make sure all the islands are facing the same direction, with the north side pointing in the same way.

• If you’re playing with 3 players, flip over the 2 islands showing the unclaimed ship color so that they now show open sea.

In a game for two people, we start by turning over the four islands to reveal the colors of the unclaimed ships. The islands that have icons matching your ship’s color will be your starting ports. Starting with the player to the right of the leader and going counterclockwise, you can place your ship on any of these islands.

Now, let’s shuffle the order cards and put one face-up on the East shore of each island. The East shore is the area outlined on the right side of each island. Just remember not to put any order cards on the open sea. Keep the remaining deck face down on the side for now.

Alright, let’s get started by populating each island with goods. I’ll randomly draw a number of goods from the draw bag that matches the quantity listed in the lower left corner of each island. Once I’ve done that, I’ll place the goods on each island.

Now, let’s shuffle the navigation cards. I’ll deal each player 8 cards face down, and any extra cards we have will be set aside. Remember, you can look at your own cards, but don’t show them to your opponents.

To make things easier, it might be helpful to arrange your cards in your hand so that the compass points north, just like the cards on the map.

How to Play the Game

Let’s dive right into the exciting world of gameplay! First, it’s time to choose a navigation card. Each player, starting with the leader, selects one card from their hand and places it face up in front of them. As you play your card, make sure to announce the suit it belongs to—octopus, sea dragon, shark, or whale.

• Now, it’s time to move things along. Players take turns, starting with the leader and moving clockwise, until everyone has played one card.
• Here’s an important rule: each player must play a card of the same suit that the leader played. We call this “following suit.”
• But what if you can’t follow suit? Don’t worry, you still have a choice. You can play any card of your choosing.
• Once all players have played their cards, it’s time to find out who wins the hand! The player who revealed the highest card in the suit that led takes home the victory.
• The winner of the hand becomes the new leader. You are now the leader and you get the rum barrel leader token. As the leader, you will go first and lead the next hand.

I am playing as Edmund, and I take the lead by playing the 3 of Sharks. Then Anne follows by playing the 5 of Sharks.

Henry doesn’t have any Sharks in his hand, so he plays the 8 of Sea Dragons. Even though 8 is the highest card, it is not in the suit that was led, so it can’t win the hand.

Anne wins the hand because her 5 of Sharks is the highest card in the suit that was led, and she becomes the new leader.

Ahoy there! It’s time to set sail!

We’ll move our ship one space in the direction shown by the navigation card we just played. The order in which we set sail depends on the number and suit of the navigation card.

The compass on the card tells us which directions we can sail in, and which ones are not available because of the tricky tides! The available headings are highlighted in the color of the suit, while the unavailable ones are not highlighted.

So, here’s the deal. I’m the leader here, and I’m gonna help you navigate through this game. The first thing you gotta do is move your ship. Just pick an island card that’s right next to you and sail in the direction listed on your compass card.

Now, pay attention! When you’re sailing, you need to read your compass card correctly. Make sure that the north on your card matches the north on the map. We don’t want you going in the wrong direction, do we?

Example: When you play the 5 of Octopus card, you can move in different directions – Northwest, Northeast, East, Southeast, or Southwest.

• You can’t sail off the map. Sometimes, there might not be any sailing options available that would allow you to stay on the map. In such cases, just leave your ship docked at the card you’re on. This still counts as sailing, so you can pick up, deliver, or engage in event cards.
• If your card’s compass allows you to sail in a direction, you have to sail that way. However, you can discard your anchor token once during the game to ignore this rule.
• Multiple ship pawns can be on the same island at the same time.

If you’re sailing on an open sea card, you have the option to move to the next island, even if it’s not directly adjacent. As long as you continue in the same direction and there is only open sea between you and the island, it’s considered adjacent. And if you’d rather not continue sailing, you can choose to stop on an open sea card.

Once you’ve finished sailing, you can immediately decide to either pick up or deliver goods. Just refer to the “Pick up or Deliver” section on the next page for more details. Once you’ve taken your action, remember to discard your navigation card. That’s the end of your turn.

After the leader has finished sailing and taken their action, it’s now the other players’ turn to sail. The order in which they sail is as follows: First, any player who has a card of the same suit as the leader can play it, starting with the highest card and going down to the lowest. If no one has a card of the same suit, then players can play any card, highest to lowest. If there’s a tie for the highest off-suit card, the player who is clockwise from the leader (the one with the rum barrel leader token) wins the tie.

Example: So, Anne (the new leader) won the hand and sails first. Next is Edmund, who sails because he played the next highest on-suit card. Lastly, Henry sails because he played off-suit.

Pick Up or Deliver

Now that we’ve sailed, we have a choice to make: do we pick up goods or deliver them to the island we’ve sailed to?

• If we decide to pick up goods, we can add ALL goods of the same type from the island to our cargo hold. We have to be careful though – we shouldn’t replenish the goods we’ve picked up with new ones from the draw bag. Goods are only replenished at the end of the round.
• Our cargo hold has a limit – it can only hold 7 goods at a time. If we end up with more than 7 goods, we’ll have to dump some overboard.

Goods Overboard

Hey there! Let’s talk about returning goods in the game. Here’s how it works: when you have more than 7 goods on your ship, you need to return some of them. You should choose which goods you want to keep and send the rest back to the island your ship is currently on. But wait, there’s a catch! If your ship is on an open sea card, you need to return the extra goods you have to the draw bag.

Now, let’s talk about the gameplay. Once all the players have sailed, picked up or delivered goods, the hand is over. The next leader starts a new hand by playing a new card. And when all players have only two cards left in their hand, that’s the end of the round. At that point, you should immediately discard those last two cards.

Event Cards

Once you get the hang of Tricky Tides, you can add a little twist by introducing event cards. These special cards will change the rules for one round.

When you’re setting up the game, shuffle the event cards and put them face down where everyone can see them.

After you’ve placed your ships, draw the top event card and read it out loud. Put the card face up on top of the event deck. Everyone has to follow the new rule for this round.

At the start of the next round, before you start playing, put the previous event card back at the bottom of the deck. Draw a new card, read it aloud, and place it face up on top of the deck where everyone can see it.

Remember, you have to resolve the effects of the event card before you start picking up or delivering.

Monsters

If you want to take your Tricky Tides gameplay to the next level, why not introduce the monsters? Each monster brings a unique ability that adds more challenges and opportunities to the game.

When setting up, place the monster standees on the islands that have the corresponding monster’s icon.

Every turn, the player who plays the lowest navigation card of the same suit as the monster’s activates that monster’s ability. However, if the Low Tide event is happening, this changes to the player who plays the highest navigation card of the same suit.

Monsters get activated before any player sets sail. They can move in any direction just like ships. If the Edge of the World event is happening, monsters can even loop around the map.

Monsters have the ability to move one space in any direction as long as certain conditions are met:

I want to talk to you about the rules of a game called Monster Island. In this game, monsters have some specific rules that they have to follow. First, monsters can only move in one direction, and they can’t stop in the middle of the ocean. They have to keep moving until they reach a new island. If a monster won’t reach a new island when moving in a certain direction, it can’t move in that direction at all. It’s important to note that monsters can’t share an island with another monster. So sometimes, a monster won’t be able to move because there’s already another monster on that island. This satisfies their requirement to move. When playing, you have the option to move the monster first and then use its ability, or use the ability first and then move it. Either way, you have to make sure that the monster is moved and its ability is used. It’s also important to know that monsters can’t affect gold cubes in any way. Now let’s talk about the abilities of the monsters. The first one is the Shark.



Octopus

When I gaze upon the octopus, it leaves me awe-struck. Its mysterious nature and remarkable abilities captivate my mind. The octopus, a creature of the sea, possesses a unique and enigmatic charm that draws me in.

Under the surface of the ocean, the octopus thrives. With its eight tentacles, it gracefully moves through the water, effortlessly navigating its surroundings. Its body is soft, allowing it to squeeze through tight spaces and hide in crevices. This camouflage is its masterpiece, as it can change its skin color and texture to blend seamlessly with its environment. It’s like a master magician, using deception to disappear from sight.

The octopus is incredibly intelligent as well. Its large brain allows it to solve puzzles, demonstrate problem-solving skills, and remember past experiences. Imagine that! An animal with the ability to think and reason. It’s almost like something out of a science fiction story.

But it doesn’t end there. The octopus is equipped with another incredible defense mechanism – the ability to regenerate its limbs. If an octopus were to lose a tentacle, it can regrow it. How fascinating is that? It’s as if it possesses the secret to renewal and rebirth.

Despite all these incredible qualities, our knowledge of the octopus is limited. There is so much more to discover about this amazing creature. It serves as a reminder that the world is full of mysteries, waiting to be unraveled.

So, dear reader, I invite you to dive into the enigmatic world of the octopus. Embrace its beauty, its intelligence, and its ability to adapt. Let us marvel at its complexity and allow ourselves to be humbled by the wonders of nature. The octopus is a true marvel, a creature we can all learn from.



Sea Dragon

Deep beneath the surface of the vast ocean, a mysterious creature known as the Sea Dragon resides. This awe-inspiring creature is a sight to behold, with its shimmering scales and graceful movements. It is a creature that has fascinated and captivated the human imagination for centuries.

The Sea Dragon, with its elongated body and powerful tail, is a master of underwater navigation. It glides effortlessly through the water, its serpentine form gracefully cutting through the waves. Its scales sparkle with vibrant colors, reflecting the sunlight that filters down from above. There is sheer elegance in its every movement, as it dances with the currents and charts its own path in the depths.

One of the remarkable features of the Sea Dragon is its ability to change its appearance. Its camouflaging capabilities are unparalleled, allowing it to blend seamlessly into its surroundings. It can mimic the colors and patterns of the coral reefs, the rocks, and the marine plants. This remarkable ability serves as both a defense mechanism and a hunting strategy, enabling the Sea Dragon to surprise its prey or evade potential predators.

But the Sea Dragon is not just a creature of beauty and camouflage. It is also a master of adaptation. In the vast and ever-changing ocean environment, the Sea Dragon has evolved unique characteristics to survive and thrive. Its long, slender body enables it to maneuver through tight spaces and navigate the intricate ecosystems that lie beneath the surface. Its sharp teeth and powerful jaws allow it to capture and devour its prey with precision and efficiency.

The Sea Dragon’s existence is a testament to the delicate balance of life in the ocean. It is a reminder of the incredible diversity and resilience of the marine world. As I dive deeper into the secrets of the Sea Dragon, I am filled with a sense of wonder and awe. This magnificent creature holds so many mysteries, waiting to be unraveled by curious minds.

In a world where the unknown still holds so much fascination, the Sea Dragon stands as a symbol of the wonders that lie beneath the surface. It serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving and protecting our oceans, so that future generations may continue to be inspired by the extraordinary creatures that call it home.

Next time you find yourself at the shore, gazing out at the vast expanse of the sea, take a moment to imagine the hidden world that lies beneath. Be captivated by the thought of the Sea Dragon and the countless other creatures that reside in the mysterious depths. And remember, it is up to us to ensure that these marvels of nature continue to thrive for generations to come.



Whale

Hey there! Let’s talk about whales. They’re fascinating creatures that live in the ocean. Whales are known for their massive size and gentle nature. It’s incredible to think about these giant mammals swimming through the deep blue sea.

Whales come in different shapes and sizes. The blue whale, for example, is the largest animal on the planet. Can you imagine that? It’s as long as three school buses lined up! On the other hand, the dwarf sperm whale is much smaller, about the size of a car. But no matter their size, all whales have something in common – they’re mammals, just like you and me.

Did you know that whales breathe air? They have blowholes on top of their heads to help them take in oxygen. They are able to hold their breath for a long time too. Some species of whales can stay underwater for about an hour before coming up for air. Can you hold your breath for that long?

Whales are also known for their beautiful songs. These melodic tunes can travel long distances through the water. It’s like they’re having their own underwater concert! Scientists believe that these songs are a way for whales to communicate with each other.

Unfortunately, some whale species are endangered. That means there aren’t many of them left in the world. Overfishing, pollution, and habitat loss are some of the reasons why their numbers are decreasing. It’s important for us to protect these fascinating creatures and their homes.

I hope you enjoyed learning about whales. They truly are magnificent creatures that deserve our respect and care. Next time you’re near the ocean, take a moment to appreciate the beauty of these gentle giants.



When you’re playing the game, here’s what you need to do:

Continue moving in the same direction, but make sure to choose an empty spot to place the next item.

But be careful, if the item lands in the sea, you have to put it back.

Remember, you have to choose a direction that allows you to place at least two items on the map.

And if you happen to draw a gold item, keep drawing until you have three non-gold items to place. The gold items go back in the bag.

Now let’s talk about ending the round:

To get ready for the next round, fill up each island by drawing items from the bag. Keep adding items until the number of items on each island matches the number on the island card.

If you’re playing with event cards or monsters, there might be more items on the island than what’s on the card. In that case, just leave them be. Don’t add or remove any items.

If you’re ready to play the next round, get your cards ready! Shuffle all the navigation cards and hand out 8 cards face down to each player. Keep the rest of the deck to the side. Just like before, the leader will play a card to start the next round.

Once you’ve played three rounds, it’s time to wrap things up!

Finishing the Game

Add up the values of the order cards you collected and see if you earned any bonuses for spotting monsters. You’ll also get extra gold for any goods you still have on your ship. The player with the most gold wins!

To calculate your score, add up the gold values on your order cards. Then, take a look at your monster sightings bonus card and give yourself bonus gold for each matching monster symbol on your orders.

Finally, count 1 gold for every 3 sugar, 3 coffee, 2 silk, 2 spice, or 1 gold good you still have in your cargo hold. The player who ends up with the most gold wins the game!

So here’s the deal: when it comes to games with ties, it’s pretty simple. The player who has the most order cards is the one who wins. However, in the off chance that there is a tie for the most order cards, it all comes down to the player who has the most goods. They’re the ones who will come out on top.



Example: I get 17 gold from order cards. Checking my monster sightings bonus card, I earn an extra 3 gold for each of my octopus order cards, 2 gold for my whale order card, and no bonus gold for my sea dragon order card. This adds up to 25.

Next, I receive 1 gold for my single gold good, and another 1 gold for my two red spice goods. Unfortunately, I don’t have a set of 3 black coffee goods, so I don’t get any bonus gold for them. My final score is 27.